Chapter 9: Felt Like a Lifetime Ago

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio  Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Upon hearing this, Mo Yan heaved a sigh of relief. Initially, she was worried that if she brought Luo Tao back to the Mo family, not only would she be exposed, but she would also be ridiculed. This made her feel much better.

She cooked porridge and ate it with pickled vegetables before leaving.

Looking at Mo Yan’s departing back, Luo Tao could not help but be reminded of the information his assistant had sent him yesterday.

The information he received was that Mo Yan’s parents were divorced, and her mother was seriously ill and needed medical attention. Her younger brother was in school, and Mo Yan was working outside to support the family.

Mo Yan’s stepmother, Meng Xian, and her stepsister, Mo Lian, had a very bad relationship with Mo Yan. They often bullied and scolded Mo Yan, but Mo Yan’s father didn’t care about it and was completely irresponsible.

One could imagine how Mo Yan would be treated when she returned home this time.

Luo Tao was a little worried. After much consideration, he sent a message to his assistant: Ask someone to follow her secretly. Let me know immediately if anything happens.

After boarding the village bus, Mo Yan arrived in the city. When she got off the bus, she saw an old woman who was crying. Her clothes were tattered and she looked extremely pitiful.

In front of the old woman were two large baskets. Inside the baskets, there were two nests of furry chicks and ducklings that were chirping.

Mo Yan couldn’t help but go forward to ask, “Madam, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

The old woman wiped her tears and said vaguely, “I don’t think I’ll be able to sell all the chickens and ducks today. I’ll get beaten up by the old man when I go back…”

Mo Yan frowned and advised gently, “You will be able to sell them out. There are so many people passing by. You’ll sell them eventually.”

The old woman shook her head and said with fear and despair, “It’s already the afternoon. No one will come here to buy chickens and ducks anymore… I still have to catch the bus back to cook for the old man. What should I do…”

Hearing that, Mo Yan looked at the two broods of chickens and ducks. When she saw the old woman crying while packing up her things, she gritted her teeth, stopped her, and said, “Madam, don’t be anxious! I’ll buy your chickens and ducks.”

Since she had wanted to raise some chickens and ducks since yesterday, it would be a good idea to buy some now and at the same time, help out the old woman.

The unmarketable chickens and ducks were bought by Mo Yan. The old woman was very grateful and kept holding Mo Yan’s hand to express her gratitude. Seeing that the old woman was about to cry from gratitude, Mo Yan quickly advised, “You should go back quickly.”

Before she left, the old woman saw that Mo Yan did not bring a cage, so she stuffed the chickens and ducks into a big bamboo basket and gave it to Mo Yan.

When Mo Yan arrived at the Mo family home, looking at the bustling streets, the dazzling decorations, and the noble-dressed crowd, she thought that her living here previously felt like a lifetime ago.

When she was young, she also had the kind of life where she did not have to worry about food and clothing.

At that time, her mother had not yet been kicked out by her father. She was still the precious daughter of the Mo family. Every day, she practiced the piano, danced, and learned everything that a noble young lady should learn.

However, one day, there was a misunderstanding between her mother and father. Not only did her beautiful life come crashing down, but her stepmother also took over as lady of the house. She also brought along her stepsister, Mo Lian, who was a few years older than her.

From then on, she was considered the illegitimate daughter of the Mo family who had to be hidden. Her mother was also seriously ill and had been receiving treatment in the hospital all year round. She had no choice but to stop her studies and work to support her mother and her young brother.

It was not until she was forced to marry Luo Tao that her mother’s illness worsened. Her younger brother also needed money for his tuition fees. Everything came down to her and she was overwhelmed.

After taking a few deep breaths, Mo Yan rang the Mo family’s doorbell.

It was the nanny who opened the door. When the nanny saw that it was her, her expression immediately darkened. She wanted to say something but hesitated. “Second Miss, you are…”

“I’m here to look for my father. Is he home?” Mo Yan hurriedly replied.

“Uh…” the nanny turned around and was about to say something when she was suddenly interrupted by a voice behind her.

“Who is it? Let her in,” a sharp female voice said.

The nanny then moved aside and opened the door to let Mo Yan in.

As soon as Mo Yan entered, she found his stepsister, Mo Lian, sitting on the sofa, looking at her calmly.

“Oh, look who it is. The sister who’s married to that poor guy. What happened to you?” Mo Lian raised her eyebrows and glanced at her from head to toe, sneering with ill intentions.

Mo Yan put down the bamboo basket and ignored her taunts. She looked straight at her and asked, “Where’s father?”